making oval platters questions

updated mon 23 aug 04

claybair on sun 22 aug 04

I'm going to be making some large 20" - 22" platters.
I would like to throw them but want them to be oval.
I'll likely use B-Mix ^5 oxidation (which incidentally I have fired to ^7
with no problems).
So my questions are:
What is your favorite method to ovalize a large circular platter?
What clay thickness?
What is your favorite foot or foot ring for such a platter?
How to trim an oval foot?
Please feel free to answer any questions I haven't but
need to ask!
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com

Ann Brink on sun 22 aug 04

Gayle Bair wrote:
> I'm going to be making some large 20" - 22" platters.
> I would like to throw them but want them to be oval.

Hi Gayle,
Here's what has worked pretty well for me in the past:
Throw a disc with a somewhat smaller diameter than the intended length
of platter
After some drying, pick it up and stretch by tossing on the floor
Have ready an appropriately sized platter, and slump the clay into it,
after lining the platter with something to keep the clay from sticking (thin
polyester scarves from the thrift shop are perfect for this)
After the platter is leather hard, invert and add feet, whatever style
you want.

(Note: one of my long platters sagged a little in the bisque-so for the
glaze firing, I wiped off the glaze from 2 spots on the bottom center and
placed some supports at the height I thought the feet would end up, and
lucky me, it worked- the platter was perfectly level)

Ann Brink in Lompoc CA

Jon Brinley on sun 22 aug 04

Gayle,
What has worked for me, is to=20
cut an elliptical (eye shape) out of the
center of the platter. Add a little slip=20
and water to the hole. Using the cutoff
wire slide it under the platter at least twice.=20
Squeeze the sides of the platter together
until they are touching. An extra pair of=20
hands is really nice to have at this point. With the=20
now platter shape at hand you need to let it=20
dry S-L-O-W!!! Wrap it in plastic and let it sit=20
for a couple of days to a week. Try not to peek.
To add a foot ring I would add a coil, that way=20
there is less trimming. If you throw a footring on=20
the original shape, it will be harder to use
the method I described. As for trimming you can
use a cheese slicer. =20

I'm going to be making some large 20" - 22" platters.
I would like to throw them but want them to be oval.
I'll likely use B-Mix ^5 oxidation (which incidentally I have fired to =
^7
with no problems).
So my questions are:
What is your favorite method to ovalize a large circular platter?
What clay thickness?
What is your favorite foot or foot ring for such a platter?
How to trim an oval foot?
Please feel free to answer any questions I haven't but
need to ask!
Gayle Bair
Bainbridge Island, WA
http://claybair.com